Network issues

[hotdog]

Out trusty ZyXEL ADSL modem/router finally gave up the ghost today.

Luckily we had a spare router but we've installed it and now only I can get on the internet.

We can't log onto our server or see our document printer/copier:mad:

None of the other PC's can see the server either but if we plug the old modem back in the server reappears and so does the document printer although no internet.

Tried rebooting the old router/modem and nothing. :mad:

all PC's, printers and servers are networked via a 3com switch which is fine.The modems plug into the switch

Anyone got any ideas??

[burble]

It sounds to me that the two routers are using a different IP range. I'm assuming that the printer and server have fixed IP addresses?

When you're connected with the ZyXEL open a command prompt in Windows (start, run cmd <enter>) and type ipconfig. Look at the IP address and default gateway lines. The IP address will be something like 192.168.0.4 (or similar).

Switch to the spare router and do the same, you should find that the IP address is in a different range, whereas the ZyXEL was 192.168.0.x, the spare is something like 192.168.1.x.

If that's the case then the server and printer are still using 192.168.0.x but your computers are using 192.168.1.x. Go to the config of your spare router (open a web browser and go to the IP address of the default gateway you see when connected to the spare router) and look for something along the lines of LAN network. Change the range from 192.168.1.x to 192.168.0.x (exact process and terminology will vary from router to router), save the changes, reboot the computers and see what happens.

[hotdog]

I did look at that and the new router seems to have a very wierd IP range starting in 89!?

The printer and server are on fixed addresses so they need to stay as they are

I'll log into the new router tomorrow and change the LAN settings.

cheers

[burble]

If it's 89.something then the router is giving out an internet routeable address to internal hosts. Very unusual in a home network. When you're using the spare router how many computers can get internet access?

[hotdog]

when the spare router is plugged in only my PC can get the internet. None of the other users can get onto the internet and none of us can then see the server or document server. I thought I might have to run the set up disc for the new router (Netgear) on each PC?

The old router was a ZyXEL 600 series which is not a domestic model, new one is a Netgear DP111 which is for home use but I'd assume you coul use it for offices too?

[burble]

A quick Google suggests that the DP111 is a cable modem, not an ADSL router. If tha'ts true then it shouldnt work at all with ADSL. You sure about the modem number?

It does sound like it is just a modem though (the specific mention of 'cable' is the confusing bit in which case what's happening is right - the modem is just a modem, it isn't a router so it can't let multiple machines access the internet. It just passes through the IP address that would have gone to the WAN interface of the ZyXEL (the address from your ISP) to one of the machines connected to it.

You'll most likely need to go buy a new ADSL router and forget about the DP111.

Ignore the setup disc that came with the Netgear, these things install unnecessary crap onto your computer - there's no need to run the cd at all.

What's the exact model number of the ZyXEL?

[hotdog]

A quick Google suggests that the DP111 is a cable modem, not an ADSL router. If tha'ts true then it shouldnt work at all with ADSL. You sure about the modem number?

It does sound like it is just a modem though (the specific mention of 'cable' is the confusing bit in which case what's happening is right - the modem is just a modem, it isn't a router so it can't let multiple machines access the internet. It just passes through the IP address that would have gone to the WAN interface of the ZyXEL (the address from your ISP) to one of the machines connected to it.

You'll most likely need to go buy a new ADSL router and forget about the DP111.

Ignore the setup disc that came with the Netgear, these things install unnecessary crap onto your computer - there's no need to run the cd at all.

What's the exact model number of the ZyXEL?

I think you're right about the DP111. Tried another one and the same problem. However, the ZyXEL came back to life early this morning and has been fine since. I think though that it is prone to losing the ADSL signal as we've had the same issues before that initially were blamed on a faulty DSL filter. I've ordered a new ZyXEL router as apart from the last few months its been faultless. No issues in 24 / 7 / 365 usage over the last few years so we can't complain we haven't had our money's worth. I'll keep the old one as a back up! Cheers for your help

[burble]

It might be worth changing the filters (I assume you've got a filter on each phone socket that's got a phone plugged in?) anyway.

If you still lose the ADSL link, have a look in the router and see if you can find the statistics for your line. Look for the downstream SNR, if it's less than 6dB then that can in some cases cause instability. Your ISP would be able to increase the SNR.